MASS POST WARNING: GO BACK AND READ THE FIRST CHAPTER I POSTED, PLEASE.

Hey everybody, it's been a while. Hope you all have a good day. Check out my books if you get the time, please. Links are on my profile.

I feel like writing an original story using Amber and Garrett, but I'd have to file off the serial numbers, it would seem. I'd also change magic to Esper powers. Which would mean no Yuuko, no Chobits, and no Puella Magi. PM me if you think it's a good idea.

This time, all the poems are mine.

I'm fast asleep,

I can't breathe,

Somebody help me

I want to see,

I want to be

Something that isn't me

Chapter 25: I Think, Therefore I am Mad

A million little pieces of crystal came raining down upon their heads. A single word was cast into the confusion, and it stopped the shards in their tracks. It was then the whole world stopped. Their eyes met, and he could feel the power surging through both of them.

...

Garrett stared at the invitation, wondering if it was a practical joke or not. He had been friends with her so many years, and he knew her well, so it being a prank was not impossible. The young man was keenly aware of how wealthy his friend was, as he was well-off himself, but the level of her status had not sunk in until now.

His heart thrummed in his chest as faster than a hummingbird's wings. Anxiety washed down his spine in waves of cold water as he looked over the invitation once more looked to confirm its existence:

Garrett Ravensdale

You are cordially invited to:

The 20th annual Moonlight Gala,

Hosted by Gala Computers Incorporated

A little redundant, considering the homophones. But from the curved silver lettering to the official seal of Gala Inc., a butterfly, (why a butterfly, though?), it looked 99.98% authentic. Still, this was a gala, a white-tie affair—he would be expected to dress up for it.

Giving the invitation one last forlorn look, he threw himself backwards onto his bed, holding the folded cardstock above his head. Would this be the first in a series of tuxedos?

Earlier, when he had showed his parents, Garrett had not gotten much in the way of advice. He was already a sophomore in high school, and he couldn't make a move on the girl he liked, but here she was, taking the first step. Alicia Ravensdale merely gave her son a cryptic smile and said that if he needed to buy a tuxedo, she would take his measurements. His father, Handel, had promptly gained a thoughtful look, ushered his son to the side, slipped something into the young man's palm, and winked. Before leaving, Handel suggested that he should at least 'be safe', whatever that meant!

As incensed as he was, Garrett did put the object into his wallet...just in case.

"Chell," whimpered Garrett, turning on his side to look at his desk, where his Persocom stood, recharging. She was about as tall as a baby-doll. Her hair was jet black and braided into a ponytail. In the middle of her head was a big red bow that concealed her petite connector cables. A schoolgirl outfit, complete with peacoat, plaid skirt, and brown loafers, was what she wore. When Garrett called her name, her lids opened to reveal a pair of playful silvery grey eyes.

From the realistic design to the delicate features, she was definitely a Gala Inc. model. She was a mid-range model in both price and size: smaller than the full-sized ones, yet bigger than both the keychain models and the ones no bigger than a beanie-baby. As Model 211 of the Fuji series, she ran on OS X Silver Monarch, and was barely out of the box for over a week. The previous week had been his birthday, and although he had declined a party, his friends and family somehow succeeded in sneaking presents into his bedroom.

Chell was one of those presents. He knew exactly from who she had come from, but the cute little 'com was not unwanted. She actually was the only present he would have ever asked for.

For the past year he had been saving his already-ample allowance to buy his own palm-sized Persocom. It would have been a simple model, but with little customization, he would have been set.

Apparently a love for circuitry, faux skin, and synthetic fluid ran deep in the blood of the Ravensdale clan. This wasn't even counting his cousins or even his grandparents. His father worked for Gala, in Research and Development, and they had a complete lab in the basement of their house, where Garrett could do the customization of the Persocom he had planned to buy.

His mother worked for the same company, but in the PR department, as well as Advertising. In addition to help release statements to the press, she was quite obsessed with making the Persocoms look as cute as possible for the spreads in the latest tech magazines. The month earlier, they released smart watches to pair with Persocoms, and it had been her best campaign to date.

Then there was Garrett. The machines sang to him. It was so strange how drawn he was to Persocoms. Normal people who had little knowledge of computers couldn't make heads or tails of code, but he read through the strings as if he was reading a children's book in the library. His father often let him tinker in the lab, and with fairly good results.

Garrett sat up and walked to the desk, where Chell gazed up at the young man, inspecting him. She had come preconfigured, and there was no surprise there. This also meant her personality settings were set as well. She was perceptive by nature, and was prone to stating harsh truths, but he did enjoy her company very much. Often he would wonder why he saw them as people, instead of how others of his age would view them, but he didn't dwell on that thought much to care about their ignorant views.

"Papa, you seem distraught," mused Chell dreamily. "Perhaps you should tell me about it?" She lifted her arms up as she spoke and looked into his eyes in expectation.

Smiling, he picked up the Persocom. She was easy to handle, and it was much like cradling a baby in his arms, except she was far more durable and looked like a miniature person instead. He also liked the preset designation she assigned to him, for some reason. At first it had been startling, but after two days he had adjusted to it fully. Upon first hearing it, he suspected that this was Amber's work, but as of yet he didn't want to change it.

"Well, it's about Amber," he began, holding the girl and pacing around the room.

"You mean Mama?"

He tried not to let that get to him, but it made him blush all the same. This was definitely her doing.

"Yes," he continued, "and she invited me to this fancy party, and I don't know what to think about it!"

It took her all of two seconds to realize what he was talking about. "The Moonlight Gala? You're worried about that, Papa?"

"How did you—," realizing the obvious, he sighed mid-sentence, "you looked it up on the web, didn't you?"

Blinking, Chell said pressed her lips together and said nothing, which was definitely a yes. All she had to do was search for major events happening in California within the next month. The first relevant event was the gala, which was connected to Gala Inc., which was connected to Amber.

"Cheeeell!" He whined, plopping onto the bed. Chell hopped from his arms and landed on the fluffed out comforter with a tiny floof. "This is serious. What if I mess up?"

She thought for a moment before responding.

"You're only human, Papa," remarked Chell, sitting on his pillow. She put her head in her hands and pouted unapologetically.

"Gee, thanks," Garrett intoned, unamused. "I suppose that's supposed to cheer me up?"

Chell tilted her head to the side. "Perhaps. But I just don't see why you're so stressed out to begin with."

'Of course you don't. You're always so laid-back about these type of things.'

"It's going to be fun, I think!" The tiny Persocom exclaimed in excitement, wagging a tiny index finger. "Mama wouldn't try to hurt or embarrass you on purpose. At least... not where others would see."

She had several points, there.

"That is true, I suppose." He closed his eyes, placed his hands behind his head, and laid his head on his palms.

"Now," said Chell, her eyes flashing faintly, "shall I order you a tuxedo? Will you rent or buy?" She already was searching several made-to-order tuxedo companies, measuring him visually, picking out certain styles amongst the selection, and checking the dates of arrival for shipping. Ever since Safari dot com had started making their own apparel, the normal retailers were absolutely livid. They were looking the most reasonable out of anyone.

Garrett knew that look. Chell was getting ahead of him, and he could tell. The excitement in her voice was clue enough, but when he noticed the little flashes of light in her eyes, he had confirmed it.

"Er...my mum said she would measure me for that, actually."

She pouted a little but nodded. "I'll be waiting for grandma's measurements, then."

The young man cringed at hearing his mother being called 'grandma'. It was even weirder than his designation of 'papa'. Sighing, Garrett kneaded the bridge of his nose. This was truly like having a child, wasn't it?

'I am not going to change her personality settings.'

A little hand cupped the side of his face. "Are you okay, Papa? You're looking quite pale."

'I will not change her personality profile.'

...

Three awkward kisses and two peeping incidents, one for each side—that's what they had progressed to. Well, aside from her still launching him onto his back in karate class... That last tournament should have made his parents wary, not cause them to clap in appreciation when their only son lost to his best friend who happened to be a girl.

Thinking about it made his back ache, still.

Now he was standing in the foyer of his house, his fringe slicked away from his face, wearing what was definitely going to be the first of many tuxedos.

Albert, an older gentleman with slightly graying hair, had rang their doorbell little under a minute ago, and was now presenting the mischievous heiress to his delighted parents. They had briefly met before, but that was in a more informal setting, after karate tournaments. She had been wearing her kata then, and perspiring greatly. Each of them also had caught glimpses of her when they went to company functions, such as the one they were going to, but the CEO and his family always was surrounded by such a thick ring of higher ranked employees that the Ravensdales could scarcely meet with him. Usually, though, Garrett did not attend these functions, and would often be left at home to his own devices.

"It is a pleasure to see you, Doctors Ravensdale."

The girl curtsied, picking up the hem of her outfit delicately.

Her dress was not what someone would call an 'evening gown'. Evening gowns usually stuck close to the body, they often were coated in shimmering jewels, and of course, the obligatory leg slit to expose one leg up to the thigh. She was wearing an all-black dress that nearly swept the floor, and it was cut in a modernized Victorian style. Instead of white gloves, which, for a gala, were a must, she had black satin gloves. On her feet were black heels, with delicate butterfly ornaments of the same color attached to the front of them. Her normally curly hair was straightened for once, and pinned up in a minimal style. A simple string of pearls rested around her neck, with a pair of matching earrings fastened in her ears.

'Yes,' he thought, 'she looks more like princess than an heiress.'

"The pleasure is ours, Miss Lee-Young," said Handel, taking her hand and kissing it gently.

This earned him a look of daggers from Garrett, who visibly bristled at his greeting. The young man's ears were burning bright red.

Afterwards, Alicia shook Amber's hand firmly, her eyes glinting. So this was the forward girl who had been pursuing her son, eh? Yes, Alicia had seen this young woman several times before, and each time she saw her, it was like seeing a younger version of herself. Miss Lee-Young had the same ambitious spirit, and Alicia hoped Garrett wouldn't lose the opportunity to be with her when it was presented.

"Charmed," said Alicia, echoing her husband's sentiment. She was in a bright red gown with white shimmering sparkles smattered on the fabric like stars in the night sky. Her lips were cherry red, matching her dress and shoes, and her hair was in a modified French braid that was pinned up to keep the hair off her back. The gown was cut low near the back, exposing a nice crop of elegant marble white skin.

And, of course, Garrett and his father were wearing tuxedos. However, Garrett was wearing a slightly retro cut with a split back. It made him look a bit like he stepped out of a time machine from way back when, but with the finishing touches on the outfit it looked more modern than at first glance.

After a somewhat forced bit of stiff small-talk, they were almost ready to leave.

"You two have fun, now," said Handel, all but pushing his son towards his friend. "Don't stay out too late."

"We're going to the same party, Dad," muttered Garrett.

"But we are taking different rides," his father shot back, quicker than a whip. His smug smile was the same one he had sported when Garrett told him of the invitation.

Garrett really did not want to think about his father's words too deeply. It would give him permanent damage, he was sure.

However, he made the mistake of reading his father's lips, and flushed red all over again. What kind of father was he to tell his son to 'go get lucky'? He hoped Amber hadn't—oh, great. She was stifling laughter and giving his father the 'ok' sign. This didn't bode well for him at all.

Either his mother had ignored it, or she wasn't taking it seriously, but either way she didn't comment on it. She did mention how important it was that they didn't stay out late.

"All the same, you need to remember that a lack of sleep will stunt your growth, so get back soon, alright?" Alicia Ravensdale said this firmly, shooting her son a stern look. "And if I even catch you smelling some champagne tonight, I will ground you until you're twenty-one. We're not in Australia anymore, young man. Do you understand?"

"Yes, mum," he said quickly, trying not to meet her cutting green eyes.

"Shall me depart, then, young masters?" cut in Albert, just in time.

Savoring the pleading look that Garrett was giving her, Amber smiled and nodded swiftly. "I believe so, Albert."

And so they went.

Present day...

So after a somewhat relaxing week in the Bermuda Triangle, the conquering heroes came back to Tokyo feeling more refreshed than they left. After the 'tentacle incident', Amber had been in a bad mood. She avoided the ocean as if it were made of acid instead of water. Chii also seemed wary of the beach after that, but she eventually returned to the water before their trip ended. It also had taken Yuzuki some time to trust the water again, but submitting a formal complaint to the resort owners, her mind was set at ease. Miss Lee-Young had contributed many scathing words to the lengthy letter, and warned them of the dangers of having such terrible security when it came to dangerous magical beasts. Having enchantments woven into the resort's wards to prevent malicious entities such as that attacked them were a minimum requirement, in Amber's opinion.

In other news, cram school had been very easily managed, thanks to Garrett's efforts. Motosuwa usually would struggle through his subjects, but thanks to his mechanical friend, he had gradually improved. Emphasis on 'gradually'. Hideki's earlier methods of studying had been quite inefficient, as the blue-eyed trickster had pointed out.

Toady was a dazy, hazy, humid day that seemed to drag on for too long. The air conditioner helped a lot, but for the cram school was only working halfway. In the classrooms, it was fine, but the system had failed in the hallways. However, Hideki and his class needed to copy worksheets for several subjects. No one would volunteer to help, so there was only one person for the job.

The echo of footsteps pitter-pattered down the hallway at a brisk pace.

Several stacks of papers crisscrossed over each other lurched dangerously from side to side.

A bright red skirt bounced in an even rhythm.

A flash of blue and white stripes from beneath that skirt often peeked into view, in rhythm with the footsteps.

As she approached the classroom door, Amber was thankful that she had not begun to sweat. However, if she panted too hard it would be a giveaway. That isn't to say that Persocoms didn't pant. They did. When they overheated, that is. She just couldn't do it for very long, or it would be a giveaway. After a minute or so she would have to try to either breathe through her nose normally or excuse herself.

Amber opened the door while juggling the papers and stepped inside the classroom. A heavenly gust of air wafted down her back, and she approached the teacher's desk at a moderate stride.

Everyone else had been reviewing a chapter in their English textbooks, but Ms. Shimizu was grading papers. When Amber entered, the teacher didn't even look up. However, she didn't take long to issue another order.

"Pass out the worksheets, please," said the teacher not very kindly. It was subtle, but the distaste beneath the monotone was apparent.

Playing the role perfectly, Amber turned on her heel very precisely and made her way down the aisles, handing out worksheets as she strode. She was still panting lightly, but still not sweating, as Garrett noticed. He had been watching her the second she came back from her errand. It was a long walk from copy room, he knew. The heat only made it worse. Surely, by now she was tired.

'She could be developing heat exhaustion,' thought Garrett to himself. He frowned, looking over the girl in concern. Groaning within himself, Garrett suppressed every urge he had to hurt his teacher. Running through all the complications that would arise if he lost his cool, he forced his voice into an even tone.

"She's overheating, Sensei. Please, let me pass them out."

Ms. Shimizu wouldn't have that, though. "I'm sure she'll cool down soon enough. Besides, she already has the papers."

"Oh, I'm fine," said Amber brightly. "I'm just a little overheated. I'll cool down in a moment. The temperature of the room has helped greatly with that."

Shinbo looked very uncomfortable at that moment. Even from across the room, Garret could spot that. The downcast eyes, the stifled grimace, even the slight way he hunched hi shoulders was suspicious. What was that boy hiding? Why did their teacher's response make him subconsciously react?

Still continuing her work, Amber walked down the aisles. The entire week she had not been thanked for any of her work, whether it was copying worksheets or fetching other teachers, or this. Garrett, of course, had to email the other teachers certain messages, since Amber couldn't do it, but even that still went on unthanked.

When she was finished with her assignment, Amber sat down beside Garrett for a well-needed rest. Since a minute ago, Amber had stopped panting, but now that the girl was off her legs, she looked wobbly.

"Are you alright?" he asked in English, placing the back of his hand on her forehead. The sensors on his skin told him that it burned a solid 103 degrees—far too warm for a human. She was putting up a good show, but this was getting dangerous.

"My internal temperature had spiked from so much exertion, but I am fine now." A placating smile emerged on her face in response.

They sat in silence for over a minute. As they sat beside one another, Garrett took out a piece of loose-leaf paper from his binder and scribbled a quick message, still in English. With a single finger he nudged it in Amber's direction.

Should we leave early? Are you going to be okay?

Before Amber could write a response, someone approached their table.

"Oh, Hideki," said Garrett softly, noting the young man who had walked up to them. "What brings you here?"

In Hideki's hand was an opaque white bottle. He was fidgeting in place and seemed a little embarrassed. "I mean, on days like this I give Chii some coolant. So...here."

It sloshed when he handed it to Garrett, who nodded and took the bottle. Garrett, in turn, gave it to Amber, who sipped the water meekly. She gave a grateful smile to Hideki, and thanked him for the drink.

Within fifteen minutes, they left cram school for the day.

...

After class finally finished, Shinbo gathered his things much faster than usual, Hideki noted. Normally he would take his time, but in an increasingly frequent occurrence, Shinbo was acting unusually skittish.

With concern in his stare, Hideki noticed the strange look in his friend's eyes. "I-is something wrong?"

"Not particularly," answered Shinbo immediately. "I'm just busy lately."

Normally, Hideki didn't pry into anyone's matters, so his mind give it much thought. However, he hadn't really gotten to speak with Shinbo outside of class since he moved out of Gub Jogasaki. Recently he was able to have more free-time since becoming friends with Amber and Garrett, due to certain circumstances. He also had gotten a raise at work, and it probably was due to that little good luck charm he bought at the resort right before they left.

"Well, hey, if you're not too busy after school, then would you mind getting a bite to eat with me?"

He looked pensive for a moment.

After some spent deliberation, he agreed. He had the day off from work today, so it was fine. On top of the staff meeting she had to go to, Takako had to work late tonight, so tonight Hiromu had some freedom.

Ten minutes later, they were sitting in a quaint little restaurant that served the best burgers this side of Tokyo. Incidentally, both of them had been so hungry after cram school that they had ordered two of the largest burgers on the menu. They ate in silence for about two minutes before they felt full enough to resume their conversation.

"I haven't really got to hang out with you much lately, since you got married." Picking up his fizzing Roca-cola, Hideki took a long draw from the glass. Beer would have been better with burgers, but the last time he drank alcohol he overdid it. "So what's new?"

Not too comfortable with the question, Shinbo stirred the dregs of his strawberry lemonade. "It's been alright. Things have been fine. Different, but fine."

"Isn't that the truth? Same here. These past few months have been unbelievable." Hideki shook his head from remembering the strange events he'd witnessed. "Anyway, where do you plan on going to school next year? We can't be 'almost college students' forever."

Hideki was studying his buns off, in fact. Amber had given him a deal, and he took it the first chance he got. Even if he had gotten past Tokyo U's hellish entrance exam, he wouldn't have the money to pay for the tuition by himself. His grades from high school hadn't been enough to give him a scholarship, so…he couldn't pass up the gift unicorn who had offered him such a sweet agreement.

Shinbo chuckled deep within his throat. "I don't know. I was leaning towards Tokyo U, but now I'm not so sure. I've been taking some extra language lessons, and Takako and I were thinking about moving to another country."

This was the first time Hideki had heard of these plans. "Really? What country would be your first pick?"

"Korea."

Hideki sputtered on his drink. Coughing, he wiped his mouth and gaped at Shinbo.

"Korea? America, I could see, Hong Kong, maybe, but Korea? Honestly?"

Sighing, Shinbo shrugged. "Yeah, I mean, we were thinking about a change of scenery. I used to have a best friend who moved here from Korea, and she had taught me some of the basics. Ever since I was young I've wanted to go, and I was just happy that Takako agreed. I could even register for the exam to Chun Ha, that's like the Korean twin of Tokyo U, and get my degree there. I, er, plan to major in language, maybe become a linguist or a translator."

"That's amazing, Shinbo." He had known Shinbo for only as long as he had been in Tokyo, but Hideki had not heard any of this before.

'Whatever floats your boat, I guess,' he thought.

"I'm sure you'd have to download a lot of software to help you study, am I right? You think Sumomo could handle so much info? Knowing her, though, she would enjoy Korea; even my dingy apartment fascinated her. Come to think of it, I met a little unit that reminds me of her. In fact—,"

"I... had to give up Sumomo."

Shocked, Hideki blinked repeatedly.

"You did what?"

Looking grieved within himself, the young man stared into his empty cup.

"I mean, I came home one day and she wouldn't start up. Takako said she had no idea why Sumomo wasn't working, so I took her to the repair shop. When the owner looked her over, she said that her AI-crystal was damaged. I talked it over with Takako, and she suggested I sell her for parts and get a less expensive model."

Looking at his friend, Hideki began to feel sick. Scrolling his eyes around, he couldn't think of anything to say in response to that. Nothing polite, that is. The only way he could think of to get away was to make up an excuse.

But he didn't really have to think of one, because an excuse just walked through the café's door.

"Kotoko!"

'Thank goodness.'

He waved to her, and, rolling her eyes, she sauntered over. She had come to pick up an order that Kojima had called in, since he was working on some magical/mechanical monster of a project, and couldn't afford to take a break at the moment.

"Motosuwa? Nice to see you again," she droned impatiently.

"Here to pick up something for Yoshikuji?" Hideki looked back at his human friend. "Oh, sorry, Shinbo, this is Kotoko."

Recognizing the name, Shinbo nodded. "You told me about her before, yes. Nice to meet you—wait..." The young man looked her over, but became quite puzzled at this point. "Didn't you say she was a mobile unit?"

"If you're referring to my old body," she pointed to the tiny Persocom hanging from her dark purple purse, "it's right there." Sure enough, the unit that used to house her consciousness dangled from a bright silver chain, jingling due to the bells that tied the dark purple hair. The old AI crystal had been fried in the transfer, when the system image of her personality profile was etched into her new body. Most Persocoms had a main AI crystal, in addition to a CPU and several neuropathic pathways that contained the operating system. The AI crystal was essentially the 'soul' of the machine, while the CPU was the mind.

"Anyway, I almost forgot; I promised to meet Yoshikuji and Smith later on for that project we were working on. Mind if I tag along back to his place?"

Kotoko knew that there was no such project planned for tonight, so she only raised an eyebrow and played along with Hideki's obvious escape plan. She always told the truth, so she used a vague answer to make it seem like she agreed.

"Sure. If that's what you wish. I'll only take a second."

Like Kotoko said, she only needed a moment. She transferred the payment using Gala Pay, and picked up the To-Go bag that the Persocom standing at the counter was offering. Hideki paid for his own meal and waved to Shinbo. "We'll meet up again, later, before you move, okay?"

"Yeah, definitely," Shinbo said, waving back.

Hideki and Kotoko had been standing within the train car for about thirty seconds before the perceptive Persocom turned to the young man who was standing next to her.

"So spill; want to tell me why you used me to escape?"

"You have Garrett's email, right?" said Hideki, looking a little haunted. They were pressed in quite densely, and right across from the both of them were three highschool girls in sailor uniforms. The girls were looking at the both of them and giggling in a suspicious manner.

"Of course. What do you need me to tell him?"

"I need you to ask him if he can search for Persocom repair shops in Tokyo."

Somehow, Kotoko was skeptical that this was such a simple request. What on Earth would Hideki need that information for?

"Is that all? I mean, even I could do that for you."

"Okay, well I'm searching for a Persocom. You remember Sumomo, right? Well she got broken and Shinbo gave her up for spare parts. I'm hoping, if she isn't recycled already, to get her."

So that's how it was. That was extremely disappointing to hear. She knew that was how many people treated their Persocoms, and it wasn't about to change any time soon, but still, she remembered Sumomo well.

"...On my own, I don't have the ability to look into private business records myself, but considering it's Garrett we're talking about, I'm sure he could."

"So can you—,"

It had not taken long for Garrett to respond, despite having been busy with disposing what was left of the ice bath Amber had taken.

"He already replied. He says he definitely will do it."

Holding his chest, Hideki let out the breath he had been holding. "Great. Thank you so much."

After a minute, she sported a sneaky smile. Miss Lee-Young really was hard on Garrett sometimes. He had given a little complaint to his fellow Persocom after Amber demanded that she be brought along as well, despite her condition. At first he had protested, but after the headlock she managed to encircle him in, he folded as easily as a wet napkin would tear.

'The softness, Kotoko, was irresistible,' he had lamented.

"Looks like Amber is joining you, too."

Before they even arrived at their stops, Garrett had already found Sumomo. Seems like she was in a place called "Kairi's 'Coms" downtown. Kotoko searched for the location as soon as Garrett gave her the address. Hideki, who still had his school supplies with him, was able to produce a pen and paper for Kotoko to scribble the address down.

...

"You're late, Hideki," said Amber, wagging her finger.

"More like we're early, oujo-sama," Garrett said, placing his forehead into his palm. Apparently, she was still acting a little loopy from her close call with heat stroke today. She should have been resting, but the little heiress was adamant about tagging along.

"Thanks for the water earlier, by the way. That was a pretty kind thing to do for someone who nearly got you killed."

Blushing lightly, Hideki absently looked into the distance. He wasn't accustomed to being thanked just for being himself. "It's nothing. You're welcome, Miss—er, Amber."

Smiling widely like a Cheshire cat, Amber lightly laid her head against his arm. "You really need to stop being so formal. We're friends now, aren't we? So, let's go save that friend of yours, okay?"

It was a good-sized shop. There were little mobile units in clear plastic containers on the shelves lining the walls. Many of them were cleaned and polished to make the little 'coms look good as new. Posters of various sample units were all over the walls, and a single full-sized unit was slumbering in a clear plastic tube in the middle of the floor. Her hair was a bright orange, and she had a light smattering of freckles on her quiet face. Beyond her was the register, and a petite woman sitting behind the counter, reading a magazine.

The owner, Kairi herself, greeted them when the trio arrived. She looked up from the magazine to examine the newest customers. Her wide brown eyes, short brown hair, and tiny doll-like little features made her look like a Persocom herself, especially the way she didn't blink as often as a woman should. Waving, she smiled at the trio warmly.

"Anything I can help you with?" she asked.

The Chobit folded his hands on the counter and leaned forward. His blue eyes were friendly and open. "My friends and I were looking for a Persocom; one that you received…maybe a few days ago?"

Kairi thought over the customers who had brought in units. "We haven't gotten many used Persocoms lately, but this one arrived last week, if you're looking for any."

"Actually, I do believe that's the one we are looking for, yes."

Baffled as to why they would be searching for this specific Persocom, Kairi nodded. "So, uh, Mr...?"

"Smith. Garrett Smith."

Yes, she assumed he was foreign from his looks alone. This made the reason for him searching for this Persocom even stranger.

"Well, Mr. Smith, I don't know if you'd want this one. Her AI crystal is broken. Those things don't break easily, and they don't come cheap."

"Please, can we just see her?" pleaded Hideki. Without realizing it, he was looking as pitiful as a sad puppy.

Watching Hideki's expression, Kairi gained a mischievous glint her eyes. "Of course you can, Mr...?"

"Motosuwa Hideki."

Kairi appeared crestfallen, but nodded and disappeared to the back of the store. A minute later, she came back with a plain white box just a little larger than a pencil box. She removed the cover and showed them the familiar little unit.

For some reason, to Hideki it looked more like she was lying in a coffin.

"I actually got her to boot up after sealing the crack with some silicon crystal gel, but her personality is fragmented. To salvage any of the data, I would have to get a separate AI crystal and etch her onto that. But those things are extremely expensive. I'm just a mid-range shop—I can't order parts like that every day, much less for a mobile unit."

Amber looked upon the tiny Persocom and felt her blood begin to boil. She had spent time around Persocoms ever since she was a baby, considering the fact that her sister was always looking after her. Their maids had been Persocoms. Half of everyone she had grown up around was a Persocom. That's why…she was so upset. If she had been alone, Amber probably would have been crying.

"That...that insensitive jerk."

Placing a hand on her back, Garrett rubbed his thumb in soothing circles.

"Amber, hold on, you can't just say that. Take it easy, or you'll crash again."

She fumed there for a moment, staring at him in disbelief. If she had been in a worse mood, she would have shoved him for sure.

"Can't I? Really, Master, would you leave me here to rust? 'I came home and she wouldn't respond', yeah right! I bet his wife threw her against the wall or something!"

Kairi looked horrified at the statement but she shook her head sadly. "Your Persocom is quite correct, Mr. Smith. An AI crystal doesn't just break. The main AI unit where the crystal is located is actually cushioned quite a bit, and the crystal itself isn't as fragile as glass. It can get fried when etching the data onto a new one, but for one to shatter like it did…this little one had to have sustained some significant trauma."

"She couldn't have," muttered Hideki, trying to come up with a more reasonable explanation. Any other explanation. "Ms. Shimizu, she couldn't have."

Garrett stared at Hideki as if he were speaking some alien language. "Wait. Our teacher is married to that Shinbo guy?"

Hideki looked aside, not willing to speak any further.

What was his whole name again? Hiromu Shinbo, as he recalled. Blinking, Garrett reconnected to the net. After a quick scan of public records, Garrett confirmed this. He gently squeezed Amber's shoulder.

Most of the Persocoms Kairi received were from PCN. "She's a different model than I'm used to. A mobile KESS model running a Picosoft OS, since she's too small to have an ESC. A combination of neurologic processor and AI crystal but configured to speak Japanese, she's definitely custom-made." "Aside from the physical the damage, there were a few missing or erroneous memory files. I had to take a look at her system logs, to see if there was something else I could do. Apparently, when turned on, she can see and hear everyone, but she can't respond."

'It's like being in a coma…' thought Garrett, a few processes in his mind halting in shock.

Kairi licked her lips and took the body out of the box. From the reaction that these three had given, they didn't like to see the little one stored in the box like that. As she observed, the other Persocoms they had passed by on the way to the counter hadn't elicited the same reaction, so perhaps it had to do with something they knew about the mobile unit she had recently received.

"I gave him a few million for her, but you three look like good people, so..."

"Wha—," Amber balked as Kairi gingerly handed her the limp, deactivated body of Sumomo.

Knowing it was far out of her ability, the girl smiled sadly at the three shocked people standing in front of her.

"Take care of her for me, please?"

I hate everything

Everyone

They all treat me like I am

Less than a person

Even though I don't believe in myself

I want to believe I am real